Police have launched an investigation into how shadow chancellor Ed Balls drove off after colliding with a parked car without informing the owner.

The Labour MP for Morley and Outwood has since apologised to the vehicle's owner following the incident in his constituency earlier this month, and stressed he did not know any damage had been caused to the black Peugeot 306.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed officers were making inquiries into a "fail to stop collision" on Saturday April 5.

In a statement, Mr Balls said: "Ten days ago, I turned our car round in a tight spot in the private drive beside the Labour rooms in Morley.

"There was a stationary car parked close by.

"The turn took five or seven points and I was aware that at one point the bumpers of the two cars touched.

"I park there all the time in what is a relatively narrow drive.

"But until I was contacted the following Wednesday, I had no awareness at all that there had been any damage to the other car.

"As soon as I was made aware of what had happened, I took full responsibility for any damage caused.

"I have written to the owner of the other car to say I was terribly sorry and to reimburse the owner concerned for the necessary repair.

"I have contacted our insurance company in the usual way."

According to a report in the Yorkshire Post, the collision was caught on CCTV camera and Mr Balls' registration number was traced after the Peugeot's driver noticed damage the following day.

Sergeant Adrian Wright, of West Yorkshire Police's Eastern Area Roads Policing Unit, said: "We received a report on Sunday 6 April of a fail to stop collision on Commercial Street, Morley, which is reported to have happened the day before on Saturday 5 April. Damage was caused to the front offside wing of a parked black Peugeot 306.